Near Austwell in Refugio County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Building Aransas NWR (National Wildlife Refuge)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 25, 2021
1. Building Aransas NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) Marker
Captions: (top center) Today, all that remains of the CCC's construction efforts is the concert flagpole base still visible at this site.; (upper right) In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Executive Order creating Aransas Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.; (lower left) Group photo of CCC workers from February 14, 1939,
Shortly after the Refuge was established, workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) were given the task of building the Refuge's infrastructure.
The CCC and WPA were relief programs put into effect by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression.
Barracks, staff quarters, supply storage, maintenance shop, and mess hall facilities once stood in what is now the Refuge fishing pier area.
Erected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department of Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Charity & Public Work • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists.
Location.
28° 17.372′ N, 96° 48.622′ W. Marker is near Austwell, Texas, in Refugio County. Marker is on Hopper Road (Highway 2040), on the left when traveling south. The marker is located in Aransas Wildlife Refuge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austwell TX 77950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "Train Depot" (approx. 10½ miles away); Seadrift (approx. 10½ miles away); Seadrift Cemetery (approx. 11.9 miles away); Preston Rose Austin (approx. 12.4 miles away); Lamar Volunteer Fire Department (approx. 14.8 miles away); Stella Maris Chapel (approx. 14.9 miles away); The Lamar Cemetery (approx. 14.9 miles away); John Fagan (approx. 14.9 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 17, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.